“We have instituted a preliminary enquiry against Mr. Sisodia and unknown government officials to probe the allegations that there were improprieties and violation of existing rules and regulations in the award of a work contract for ‘Talk-to-AK’ social media campaign on Google, Facebook and YouTube to reach out to people across the country. The campaign was to be implemented in two phases,” said the official.
The official said the Delhi government’s Principal Secretary had raised objections. However, the matter was put up before the Council of Ministers for an “ex post facto” approval for the execution of work and release of funds to the consultant hired for the purpose. “One Perfect Relations Pvt. Limited was hired as a consultant for the work. The Delhi Cabinet gave approval to the proposal involving expenditures to the tune of Rs. 1.5 crore,” said the official.
The CBI move triggered a sharp reaction from Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who, through his Twitter handle, targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleging that the agency was being used because the BJP was losing in Goa and Punjab. “It seems Modiji has gone haywire. The country’s Prime Minister has got no other job left…,” he tweeted in Hindi. He also expressed apprehension of CBI searches at the Delhi Secretariat and Mr. Sisodia’s office on Thursday.
